US793247A - Mirror for pianoforte-keyboards. - Google Patents

Description

No. 793,247. PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905. B. B. THOMAS. MIRROR FOR PIANOFORTE KEYBOARDS.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.15,1905.

3 t manic c UNITED STATES Patented June 27, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

BERWVELL B. THOMAS, OF TOVNSEND TOTVN SHIP, HURON COUNTY, OHIO.

MIRROR FOR PIANOFORTE-KEYBOARDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 793,247, dated June 27, 1905. Application filed March 15, 1905. Serial No. 250,305.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERWELL B. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Townsend township, in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mirrors for Pianoforte-Keyboards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides a mirror for the keyboard or manual of pianofortes, organs, and like musical instruments of the percussive The purpose of the invention is primarily to enable the performer to observe the position of the fingers, so that any awkwardness may be corrected and graceful movements cultivated. The invention also enables the instructor to conveniently observe the fingering of the pupil and to readily detect false movements and positions, thereby lessening the labor to each and enabling the pupil to acquire proficiency in manipulation of the keys in a shorter time than would be possible if wrong fingering were not promptly detected and corrected.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a pianoforte embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the keyboard-mirror. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a cheek-piece at one end of the keyboard, showing an end portion of the mirror and cooperating parts. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The pianoforte illustrated is of the upright type and has been selected as typical of the class of musical instruments for which the invention is designed.

The invention consists, essentially, of a mirror 1, located at the rear of the keyboard and above the same and preferably extending the full length thereof. This mirror may be plain or provided with beveled edges or may be of any construction. Any suitable means may be employed for securing the mirror in place to the frame of the instrument. In the event of the mirror consisting of a plate of glass it is preferred that it be strengthened and reinforced, and for this purpose a frame 2 is fitted thereto and consists of metal having edge portions bent so as to embrace corresponding edge portions of the mirror. While any means may be resorted to for holding the mirror in place, those shown are preferred and consist of a groove 3 in the cheek-piece A at each end of the keyboard. A plate 5 is attached to the upper edge of each cheek-piece A and projects over the groove 3 and cooperates with a spring-catch 6 to retain the mirror in position against casual displacement and to hold it secured against any possible vibratory movement which would be liable to interfere with the tone quality of the instrument. A spring-catch 6 is provided at each end of the mirror and is formed with a stop 7 to engage under the cooperating plate 5 and with a guard 8 for closing the upper end of the groove 3 and engaging with the plate 5 to limit the downward movement of the mirror. A knob or finger-piece 9 is provided at the upper end of the catch for convenience of operating the same and to facilitate handling of the mirror when placing it in position or removing it from the instrument.

WVhen placing the mirror in position, the inclined portions of the catches ride upon the inner ends of the plates 5 and are repressed,and when the stop shoulders 7 clear the plates 5 the catches spring outward and engage thereunder and hold the mirror in place. The other ends of the guards 8 overlap the plates 5 and limit the downward movement of the mirror, whereas the inner ends of said grooves extend over and close the upper ends of the grooves 3, thereby preventing dust, lint, and foreign matter from entering said grooves and causing the mirror to become fast therein. The knobs 9 and guards 8, in addition to their utilitarian purpose, may serve as the catches to hold the mirror in place and closing the upper ends of said vertical grooves.

2. In a pianoforte or like instrument, the

combination of the keyboard or manual,cheekpieces at the ends thereof having corresponding vertical grooves, plates attached at one end to the cheek-pieces and having their opposite ends overhanging the vertical grooves, a mirror slidable in said vertical grooves and located above the keyboard and at the rear thereof, catches at the ends of the mirror cooperating with the inner ends of said plates to retain the mirror in place, guards movablewith the catches for closing the upper ends of the grooves and acting jointly with the plates and catches to hold. the mirror in position, and knobs or finger-pieces to assist in operating the catches and facilitate the handling'of the mirror, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BERWELL B. THOMAS. [L. s.] Witnesses:

EDWARD WILLIS, SARAH OLA SAYLES.

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